Folding box.



E. A. G. BIERWIRTH.

FOL

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

ERIN ST A. G. BIERWIRTH, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

romnne BOX.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed May 10, 1915. Serial No, 27,114.

, ing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to folding boxes, and more particularly to a folding box that is formed from a single piece of material and assembled without the use of staples, or like fastening devices; the principal object of the invention being to provide a box of this character having reinforced corners and selflocking joints that not only enhance the appearance of the finished box, but serve to maintain the shape thereby strengthening and stiffening the same at the corners.

In accomplishing this and other objects of the invention I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure I is a perspective view of a fold ing box constructed according to my invention. Fig. II is a cross section of the box,

particularly illustrating the locking lips on the edges of the side and end members. F1g.

III is a perspective view of the box, showing the parts partially spaced to better illustrate the assemblage. Fig. IV is a plan View of a blank from which the box is formed. Referring more in detail to the drawings 1 designates the blank from which the box is. made, and which may be die-cut to form the bottom, side and end members, as illustrated; the blank being rectangular, with the edges of the bottom 2 scored to facilitate the folding of the sides 3 and ends 4, the ends of the side portions scored to facilitate the folding of the end laps 55, and the end laps 55 scored to facilitate the folding of the corner lock sections 6 thereof.

The end members I are also scored transversely to allow the said members to fold over the upper edges of the end portions 55 of the side members 3 when the latter have been folded to place, and the end members are scored along their free edges to provide for a lip 7 that lies along the bottom of the box and serves as a key to hold the parts in place.

Each of the end parts 5-5' of the side members 3 has a socket 8 or 8' cut therein and facing in the same direction in the blank; that is, the socket 8 faces outwardly and the socket 8 inwardly relative to the body of the blank, so that when the sides 3 are folded to position and the end parts 55 turned at right ,angles to the sides 8,

one of the sockets will face upwardly and the other downwardly, so that the socketed I parts may nest to allow the end members 55 to lie against each other but in crossed relation, with the socketed parts locked in order to hold the ends together.

It will be noted that, with the parts arranged as described, the free ends of both members 5--5 lie within the box, so that the end lips 6 may lie along the sides 3, thereby reinforcing the corners and forming a lock that tends to hold the ends 5-5 in place.

With the side members assembled, as described, the ends 4 are folded up over the end members 55" so that the bodies of said end members lie against the outer faces of the members 55 and the inside portions 4' lie along the inner faces of said members, so that the ends of the side parts are'nested between the relative portions 44'; the members l being of substantially the same length as the outer end parts 4, so that their lower edges lie adjacent the bottom of the box in order that the folds 7 may lie flat on the 'bottom.-

When the box is properly scored, the ends will fold snugly between the sides, so that friction of the ends against the sides will hold the ends securely in place, with the lips 7 lying along the bottom of the box to re inforce the bottom, space the sides 3 and lock the end members securely in place to prevent the parts from spreading or loosening. e

The cover part of the box may be made in the same manner, but on a slightly larger scale, in order that it may telescope with the body, although the cover need not be of such substantial construction, as it is held and reinforced by the body.

It is apparent'that, with the present construction, the box may bestored or shipped in the flat blank, so that a great many of the boxes may be contained in relatively limited space, and that When the boxes are to be I used the blanks may be shaped by folding the sides along the scored lines, turning their ends inwardly and locking the same by the 'socketed combination; the key flaps 6 being i turned along the side bodies in order to form 'tom of the box.

the corner locks. After the sides are formed, the ends are folded up and in,-so that the end members -5 are nested snugly Within the ends and the key lips 7 seated fiat on the bot,- The cover may then be shaped and the box used in the ordinary manner. 7

. Having thus described my invention, What- I claim asnew therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is: y

1. A folding box formed from a single sheet of material comprising bottom, side andend portions, eachside portion being longer than'Ithe bottom and turned at the corners of the box to form supplemental end I 7 portions, and each side portion having a lip r atflitsfree end located within the box and lying against the body of the opposite side,

and end portions, each side portion being longer than the bottom and turned at the corners of the box to form supplemental end portions, and each side portion having a lip at its free end located within the box and lying against the body of the opposite side,

the said supplemental end portions having edge notches whereby said portions are crossed to form a lock and locate said free ends within the box, and each end portion of the box being folded over the adjacentsupplemental end portions to house the same, and having a liplying on the bottom of the box.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature; 7 ERNST A. G. BIERW'IRTH. 

